Physical Therapist Salary Scale

A physical therapist specializes in treating people with disabilities, sustained injuries and overall physical limitations or impairments.

Function

• Physical therapists restore mobility and function, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities using treatments including, but not limited to, exercise, strength and endurance.

Education

• A physical therapist is licensed and typically holds a master's from an accredited physical therapy program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, six out of 10 physical therapists work in a hospital or in offices of physical therapists. All states regulate the licensing of physical therapists.

Types

• • Orthopedic physical therapists treat individuals after orthopedic surgery from fractures, sports injuries, sprains, arthritis, back and neck pain, amputations or other injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic physical therapists most commonly work in an outpatient clinic setting.

  • Geriatric physical therapists focus on the older adults and deal with issues associated with aging like arthritis, osteoporosis, hip or joint replacement surgery, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, incontinence and balance issues.

  • Neurological physical therapists treat individuals suffering from neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and stroke.

  • Cardiovascular and Pulmonary physical therapists specialize in patients recovering from cardiac and pulmonary surgery.

  • Pediatric physical therapists specialize in the treatment of children, infants and adolescents with neuromuscular, skeletal, congenital or developmental conditions or diseases.

Earnings

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of physical therapists were $66,200 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,030 and $78,080. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,810. As of May 2006, median annual earnings in the industry employing the largest numbers of physical therapists were:

  Home health care services: $70,920
  Nursing care facilities: $68,650
  General medical and surgical hospitals: $66,630
  Offices of physicians: $65,900
  Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists: $65,150

  Physical therapy positions are expected to grow 27 percent in number from 2006 to 2016.

Considerations

• Physical therapists perform a physically demanding job. They are required to lift, squat, move heavy equipment, kneel and stoop as part of their daily activities. Physical therapists also have to maneuver patients to walk, stand or turn. They also need to be firm but encouraging with patients in mild to severe discomfort.